Collating machine



L. MESTRE 2,940,750

l0 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR LUIS MES TRE l wmf/k..

ATTOR N E YS June 14, 1960 COLLATING MACHINE:

Filed Nov. 2e, 1957 lO Sheets-Sheet 2 L. MESTRE COLLATING MACHINE June 14, 1960 Filed Nov. 26, 1957 June 14, 1960 L. MESTRE 2,940,750

coLLATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 2s, 1957 1o sheets-sheet a INVENTOR BY LUIS MESTRE Q/ZM//wmym ATTORNEYS.

June 14, 1960 L. MESTRE coLLATING MACHINE lO Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 26, 1957 INVENTOR LUIS MESTRE ATTORNEYS.

June 14, 1960 MESTRE coLLATING MACHINE Filed Nv. 26, 1957 l0 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 14, 1960 L. MESTRE 2,940,750

COLLATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 26, 1957 l0 Shee'cs-Sheel'l 6 June 14, 1960 l.. MESTRE COLLATING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Nov. 26, 1957 @w A \l/ Ill ms m2 @mf RT ww JF )NQ mw QN M1..- QN QQ, .I T T \,Vm`

3mi- Qozom 5,55

mi .om m

INVENTOR LUIS MESTRE ATTORNEYS.

June 14, 1960 Filed Nov. 26, 1957 L. MESTRE COLLATING MACHINE lO Sheets-Sheet 8 I8 75 75 20 4f FIG. /7 4g i* E al el 74 :f 74` i 78 78 945.- 86 5 86V` 66 INVENTOR LUIS MES TRE ATTORNEYS.

June 14, 1960 L. MESTRE coLLATING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR LUIS MESTRE BY ATTORNEYS.

.NN .0I

Filed Nov. 26. 1957 June 14, 1960 Al.. MESTRE 2,940,750

COLLATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 26, 1957 l0 Sheets-Sheet l0 FIG. 24.

MAIN [SWITCH H l Il I 239 r i 1 INVENTOR BY LUIS MESTRE AT TORN E YS.

United States Patent Otice 2,940,750 Patented June 14, 1960 2,940,150 coLLATiNG MACHINE Luis Mestre, '305 E. 46th St., New York, N.Y. Filed Nov. 26, 1951, ser. No. 698,992

41 claims. (ci. 27o-ss) The inventionrelates to a collating machine which withdraws the top sheet or page from a plurality of like sheets in each of a series of storage pockets and assembles them together in sequence at a deposit point or platform so that they may be secured or stapled together. The collating machine described herein preferably uses a rotary storage drum with generally radial storage pockets.

lf a booklet for example comprises eight pages, a page is withdrawn from each of eight storage pockets of the drum and deposited in one relative position. The next eight pages are then deposited in another relative position with respect to the first so that each set of sheets of eight pages are easily separated from each other.

In a collating machine it is desirable that the machine have considerable exibility so that the machine may be set up for a book or booklet of few or more sheets up to the capacity of the storage means-or drum. O1 the machine may be loaded with sheets to be assembled into different books or booklets for example, one book may comprise eight pages, a second book six pages, a third book four pages and so forth and the machine sorts the pages of each book into a separate and proper set and in proper page sequence. Again a booklet may have eight pages, and another booklet may have the same eight pages and one, two, or more additional sheets. The machine also will collate automatically such similar books. Many other variations of collating may be acp complished with the machine.

It is an object of the inventionto construct a collating machine having a new and novel mechanism for securing relative separation or spacing between groups of sheets.

Another object is to construct a collating machine which automatically stops if a plurality of sheets are carried by the clamping means.

A still further object is to provide a collating machine which automatically stops when a sheet is missing in a clamping means which should have a sheet.

Another object is to render inoperative the above automatic stop for any clamping means which is intentionally not carrying a sheet.

Another object is to. construct a collating machine utilizing means for opening the clamping means at dierent positions to effect separation of alternate groups of a plurality of sheets.

A still further object is to provide a collatingmachine with a new and etective `mechanism for assembling a series of sheets on a depositing platform in groups of one'or more sheets alternately at two diterent inline and overlying positions so that each group may be separated.

Another object is to construct a collating machine with clamping means which are held away from contact with the pile of sheets in a pocket when the clamp is closed.

Another object is to provide a collating machine having clamping means which are held in raised position after withdrawing a sheet from the pocket and clamping the sheet.

A still further object is to have a clamping means which 2 can be selectively closed so that it will not pick up a sheet and when closed is held away from contact with the sheets in its cooperating storage pocket.

Other objects will be more apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accom panying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of v the invention in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation'of the principal parts of the collating machine taken from the rear of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a front velevation of ,the collating machine;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed view of the mechanism for shifting the clamping means from extending in one direction to a position where they extend in the other direction as well as illustrating Vthe clampingmeans picking up a sheet from a pocket of the storage means;

Fig. 4 is a detailed enlarged view of the means for opening the clamping means in two positions to release a sheet at diierent times;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 in which the clamping means is opened at a later time;

Fig. 6 is a top view of the clamping means;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the clamping means in closed position;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the clamping means taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a section'ofthe clamping means Vtaken on line 9-9 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is a view of the opening lever for the clamping means taken on line 10-310 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 11 is an end view of the collating machine at the depositing end thereof; Y

Fig. l2 is a detailed view of the cam which operates the sheetl gaging means and the missing sheet means;

Fig. 13 is a front view of the contacts for stopping the machine for a plurality of'sheets or no sheet in a clamping means;

Fig. 14 is an end View of the clamping means;

Fig. 15 is a partial view of the mechanism foroperating the clamp opening means and the abutments; Y Fig. 16 is a detailed view of the mechanism 'for operatling the lock releasing means for the clamping means;

Fig.e17 is a top view of the clamping means with additional structure; f

Fig. v18 is aside' elevation ofthe clamping means and elevating means for holding up the clamping means taken on line 18-18 of Fig. 17; 'Y

Fig. 19 is a side View 'of the clamping means taken from the other side thereof on line 19--19 of Fig. 17; Fig. 20 is' a view of the clamping means taken on line zii- 2o of Fig-17;

Fig. 21 is another view of the clamping means taken on line 21-21L of Fig. 17;

Fig. 22 is a partial view of the clamping means as it picks up a sheet from a pocket of the storage means;

Fig. 23 is a view similar to the view of Fig. 2.2 but shows the mechanism for holding the clamping means out of contact with a sheet in a pocket of the storage means when the clamping means is closed;

Fig. 24 is a diagrammatic circuit yfor the detector means and its throwout switch, the gaging circuit and its'throwout switch; N Y

"Fig, 25 Vis'a general view 4of the scroll at thev gaging meansl and detector means lshowing :the directing of a sheet to the means and the separation of the preceding sheet therefrom.. i

The collating machine as to its general aspects provides a main frame 26 of many parts for supporting allof the mechanism. The machine includesl a storage means having a plurality of pocketsrfo'r sheets shown particularly as a rotating circular drum 27 with radial pockets therein open at the periphery for holding the various sheets which Y sheet number.

'mechanisms'ea'ch Y Y I `whichrernoyes one` sheet' `from-'its -poclet at pickvup. posr- Y thesheet to an assembhng or deposlting Y are to'be yassembled as a book or booklet. Each pocket is'fadapted to carry a quantity of sheets of one kind' or With therlcircular storage means illustrated the drum rotates continuously. The machine also includes jaf plural'tyV Yf continuously moving clamping f'which includes a Vclamping means Y onand'deliyers t t i t platform of `any suitable type. VEachclamping mechanismwithdraws a sheetfrom its pocket, clamps the sheet for transport to the depositing platform or depositing po- Ysit'i'ori KVan'djretuiinsV to pickup position at the storagemeans.

YGroups of sheets arejdeposited'onV the depositing platform in alternately staggered/relation lfor'erasy separation o feachV group. 'The machine particularly shows a .depositing platfeu'mwvhichv is --feddownwardly as the sheets or pages aredeposi't'ed thereon. 'Finally the machine includes electrical-control means for controlling-the Y desired opration of -the machine. Y

t Y Y t Y Y .toage means Thestorage means which is adapted to hold the sheets Vtobe'V collated A.includes ya series of pockets :whchrmove successively to pick-up position. The'storage means preferably-is acircular drum 27 mounted on a shaft 28.

The drum'isrotated by a motor 2.9.c011nected with a'reduction gear unit 30 and a suitable. connection isfmade fromthisgear .unit to the shaft of the drum to rotate it at a uniform speed.V VThe driving connection shown includes a chain .31 .and Vsprocket V.32.on the `drum'rshaft 28.

The drum carries generally radial pockets-formed by .partitions extending in a general .radial direction.V

Preferably the partitions project not Vtowards the *center `oithedrumbut-project tangent to the bottom of a circle having the center of the drum as thecenterso that in the .upper right-hand quadrant of the drum, as shown in Fig. 2.Wh.1'..th,e.sheet pick-up position is located, the partitions and sheets are in an, inclined or angular position.

'Ihedrumhasnaced side. plates ltowhich. the partitions are `secured in any desired manner and -at leastoneside plate carries a slot y3 8for each pocket. Apo'cket bottom .rest-ri-Fig. vl, yis* mounted ineach slot 3 1 sogthat Athe :depth of *eachpoclget mayV beadjusted as desire-dior the @timestamp be used.

to hold or clamp the plurality offsheetsV-vn eachpoclg'et engthofrtheshets vS .to2 be stored therein. Any suitable end of the radial cam at the top ofthe machinez the springs 45 pull the cam plates to sheet clamping position.

Transporting mechanism A plurality Vof spacedV clamping mechanisms kare provided, each of which picks. up or grips the top sheet m its respective pocket of the storage means or drum and transports the sheet toY aldepositing position or platform.V

There is one clamping mechanism foreach pocket of the storage means. Each clamping mechanism includes a Clamping .means or grippermoutedionan endless means of, sprocketWheelsQS, 5 4 Aareprovided*adjacent the pethrough Ysub'stantially-lv three fourths of.:the. revolutionY of the pockets where aA sheet is withdrawn from .'thepQc'Izkets.Y

,pocket clamping `means (Fig..l').compri ses aV pair of pocketfclampingfplates 41 and .42 each mounted npon a pillbftal'shaftAS monnted in.the 4side .plates of theV .The 'shafts-f3- ar'e`spac`e`d'from each other. l.One plate V4.1

.g faces orredges. VOne roller engages the inner camming snrface lto. swing ltheinner clamping .plates .to opener unclamped position and the roller .for theother clampi 1111s Plate engages theilrpr.oloterurfcfqf theradial cam and propels itsela'rrlping plates 41 to open position thereby releasingrboth clamping'plates from Contact with thlfs'heef pick-up position. The radial vcam is mounted Y @n hemain-frpame 26.- yihen the rollers ,rideo of the Y riphery ofthe -storage'means or drumrandare'srpaced with respect to 'the path Yof movement of tlgt'elpockets1 or the periphery of Vthe drumv so thatfthe-clamping means'contacts the top sheet in a pocket and gradually moves away from the pocket or periphery of thegdrum and in so` moving vslides the toprsheet 'therewith'V until its edge far enough out for the vclamping 4means to grip thel sheet whereupon .it is transported to the depositingplatform. Thespan of each chain between the sprocket lwheels may be supported by spaced chain guides 59 carried bythe main frame and lbetween whichth'e chain travels.y

. .Clamping meq'lvzaizisrn VEach chain carries for its entire-length a plurality of spaced brackets -63- (Figs. 6-9) each securedvto alink thereof so as not to interfere with'bendi'ngfof thechain andprojecting in an outward directionh A bearing 64 Vis provided in each bracket and reeeivesaclampingmechamsn-1.y JEach clamping mechanism hasfa clamping means Vframe includingla mounting bar 65 havin'g'its end=pivot ally mounted `lin a pairof spacedchain-lbracketsaone car- Vriedby eachof the chains Theclamping'means frame :includes spacedlextensins v667cm-eachbatv L .The clamping vinea'ns .includes al" shaft vr'lrpivotally :mountedJrin .the spaced extensions 66.- Af'pair-of spaced clamping arms .7 4 are securedto theV shaft Vso that the arms pivot .with l,respect to the clamping-means`fram- The end V.extension Vby Val pin 717 normally pivots both of the clamp- 4ing arms towards and into Contact. with Ythe clamping means frame. A clampingnger iSv-islpivotally mounted .on each armV on a pivot-179 and willhave a clamping or vfriction .pad 80 onlits end. Avspring'i 4connected'between each arm by pin'YSZand the finger propels the finger to vclampingposition with its end fin-'contact with the clam-ping pad .on the arm. Y

Means are provided to pivot the clampinginger-to and from clamping position in contactwithytheclamping pad 7.5 ,(Figs. 4-91). A link 86 is provided for each -iinger connected at one end to its clamping finger Z8 by means of a pin 87 andthe other end is attachedlby`avpin881to a lever;89. These levers vareV securedto-asleeve 90V which is pivotallyor -rockably mounted on 'the :shaft 7.3. -v Pivot- 'ingof-,the levers relatively Vto the clamping arms will pull the links and pivot the clamping .fn'gersto open position l asshoWn-in Fig; Sand when released, thespng's'Sl pull 'Vv-levers and through the open position." L

each .finger .to closed-,position as shown in Figs'Lf/and 9. V Secured to .the sleeveiis an arm '91 crryngla `cam;follower or roller' 92;which.pivots:thesleeve on the shaft and the links pivot the Vclamping'V-'lin'gers to Means are provided to lock the clamping-fingers 78 in open position and the means particularly shown includes a ngerlocking lever`94-pivotally carriedvon a pivot 95 mounted on one of the clamping arms. The locking lever has a locking projection and groove 96. A spring 97 connected between the locking lever and the clamping arm normally retains the clamping lever in locked or linger open position as shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 7. The locking lever carries a release'trigger 98 by means of which the finger lock maybe released which is shown as an extension secured to or forming a part of the lock lever. It may extend or be bent laterally to provide easier inlocking engagement. An operating pin 99 (Fig. 3), carried by bracket 100 which is secured to the main frame, engages this release trigger or extension when a clamping means passes at pick-up position. In this position a sheet has been Withdrawn far enough from a storage pocket to be clamped so that the locking lever is tripped and moved to release position. The locking shoulder or projection 96 engages a locking pin 101 carried by the finger operating lever 89 and holds this lever in linger or clamping means open position. When the locking lever 94 is shifted to the solid line position, Fig. 7, the locking pin is released whereupon the,finger is moved to finger closed or clamping position under the influence of its spring 81.

The clamping means arms 74 are secured to the shaft 73 which is carried in the bearings of the extensions 72 of the clamping means frame. The spring 76 connected with one arm and with the clamping means frame propels the arms generally toward the clamping means frame so that the arms if unrestrained pivot into contact with this frame. During the travel of each clamping means on the upper level of the chain, the clamping means arms are tilted and held at an upwardly inclined angle by tilt means so that each clamping sheet being transported rests on the succeeding sheet or sheets. This prevents any untoward bending and buckling of the sheets as they lie in overlying relation and move towards the depositing platform. The tilt means extends also to -the lower pass. A

The tilt means (Figs. 9, 20, 2l) for pivoting the arms or clamping means and holding them or it in this inclined position includes a tilt lever '104 having a roller or follower 105 at its end. The lever is an extension of one of the clamping means arms 74. Pivoting of the tilt lever and its cam follower pivots the two clamping arms, since both clamping arms are secured to the clamping means shaft. After the clamping means has passed around the upper sprocket 54 there is a tilt track 106 which is engaged by the cam follower 105 and pivots the clamping arms to the tilt position shown in Fig. 3. This tilt track is between the chains and follows in a general way or is parallel with the chains. The tilt track extends the full length of the upper level of the clamping means, continues around the sprocket shaft 58 and extends approximately half way along the lower level to approximately a gap in a cam track, which will be described. Throughout this travel, therefore, the clamping means is held tilted away from the clamping means frame. The clamping means is held secure during the opening of the clamping fingers by the tilt roller being between the tilt track and the clamping means frame. After the tilt roller rides olf the tilt track the spring 76 pulls the clamping arms into contact with the clamping means frame. The clamping arms remain in this position until they have passed around -the sprockets 53.

Means is provided for each clamping means to automatically keep it away from contact with the pile of sheets in its storage pocket when the clamping means is closed. If the clamping means should contact thesheet even though it is thesmooth bottom surface of the clamping finger, there still is some tendency at some times to Withdraw a sheet at least partially from the pocket. In order to' assure that this does not occur, means are provided to hold the clamping means above the pile of sheets when the clamping means or lingers are closed.

This hold-up means include a cam roller or follower 109 carried by the tilt means lever 104. This follower is mounted for axial movement to change its axial position from the solid line position to the dot-dash line position of Fig. 17. The cam roller has a shaft slidable in a bearing 111 carried by the tilt lever. The follower is retained in the full line position by a spring 112 in a spring housing 113 which engages the end of the roller shaft. The shaft also carries a pin 114 slidable in a slot 115 in the spring housing. A cam 116 carried by a cam plate 117 is secured to the sleeve 90 so that when the clamping fingers or clamping means is closed, the follower -is in the solid line position of Fig. 17. When however the sleeve 90 is turned relatively to the clamping arms 74 and tilt lever 104 to open the clamping fingers, the cam 116 moves relatively to the pin 114 and propels the pin to the left and the follower to the dot-dash position, Fig. 17 away from engagement with cam 118. If the clamping fingers are closed and the follower is in solid line position, this brings the follower in position to be engaged by a hold-up cam 118, Fig. 23, so that as the clamping means passes through pick-up position with the clamping means closed, the follower engages the cam and holds the clamping means above contact with the sheets in its pocket. If the clamping means is open, then the cam follower 109 is away from contact with the cam 118 and the clamping arms engage the top sheet in its pocket. With this hold-up means for the clamping means, the friction pad 80 on each clamping linger may be a rubber band passing around the finger.

Level means is provided to hold the clamping means in relatively level position with respect to the top of the pile of sheets at the pick-up position when a sheet is clamped as shown in Figs. 17 to 22. The clamping means here are much the same as that illustrated in Figs. 6 to 10 excepting that the clamping pad 75 on the clamping arm 74 is cylindrical and has lateral ridges around its circumference. The clamping arm carries an arcuate ratchet arm 122 which is attached to the arm such as by a screw or screws 123. The ratchet arm has ratchet teeth 124 on its lower edge. vrThe adjacent extension 66 of the clamping means frame carries Va rock lever 125 pivotally mounted on the extension on a pivot 126. This lever has a notch 127 in which notch is received the mounting bar 65. The notch is slightly wider thanv the diameter of the bar so that the lever will have a limited pivotal or rocking movement. A spring 128 normally propels the lever in a clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 19. This lever carries a ratchet 129 which normally is adjacent to but spaced from the'ratchct teeth. A cam roller 130 is also carried by the lever on a pin 131.

When the clamping means withdraws the top sheet from a pile of sheets S in a pocket of the storage means far enough to be clamped andthe clamping lingers have been released so that the edge of the sheet is clamped, the roller 130 engages a cam 134 carried by the main frame which shifts the lever 125 and brings the ratchet 129 into contact with one of the ratchet teeth i124. The ratchet engages that tooth which is adjacent the end of the rachet when the lever is shifted. 1f the pile of sheets in the pocket is high, then the ratchet engages va tooth near the lower end of the ratchet lever. The clamping means is therefore held at a higher elevation or level or approximately level with the top of the pile of sheets. For a low pile of sheets in the storage pocket, the ratchet engages a ratchet tooth more distant from the end of the ratchet lever and holds the clamping means at a lower level but level or approximately level with the top of the pile of sheets. As a consequence the clamping means is retained shortly after clamping of a sheet at approximately the top of the pile of sheets in its pocket. The clamping means, therefore, is not moved Atowards the partition under the influence of the spring 76` as would occur without this leveling means. f v

Pivotz'ng mechanism for clamping mechanism It has been described hereinbefore that the mounting bar 65 for the clamping means is pivotally mounted bey Y ina pocket of the drum.

tween chainbrackets 63 carried yby the endless chains 52. Y V`Mechanism is provided to control the pivotal position of the clamping mechanismincluding the mounting bar andV z vits extensions and hence the pivotal position of the clampinglmeans. This pivoting mechanism is in addition to the tilt means.V The Ymechanism Vfor controlling the pivotal Y .movementeof the .mounting bar and clamping means in- :cludes a cam follower plate 138 (Figs. 3, 6) secured to Y one end of VtheV mounting bar. This cam plate carries a short cam follower 139'and a long cam follower 140 .spaced from each other and eachspaced from the mount# V"ing bar .65. VVThe cam follower 139 operates .ina cam track :141 .andV cam follower 140 .operates iin carn track .142 .which control the pivotal position of the mounting --bar. The short follower also engages in a cam track 143. V.Ther/cam tracks can be` assembled easily if the tracks and cam plate 138 .are outside-of the chain 52.

After a sheet has been deposited on the depositing platfforxn, the clamping arms extend in a rearward direction r or.. inV the vdirection of the depositing platform. The

.clamping'means or arms are then swung forwardly so that they will be brought into position to engage the top sheet This pivoting of the clamping mechanism and its.clamping means is shown in Fig.' 3. The long cam roller 140 is within the camtrack 142 formed by spaced side walls. gap 144 in one sidewall in the lower pass and the wall begins again with an upwardly extending abutment 145. The cam track 141, having a pair of spaced sidewalls, .receives the short cam roller 139 just before zroller 140 reaches the gap. yThe track .141 extends downwardly to swing the clamping mechanism to approximatelyr a ver- Y' tical position, assisted partly bythe roller 140 engaging the abutment.

vThe cam track 141 therefore bridges the -gap to control the .position and pivoting of the clamping mechanism in this interval. The abutment with the descending' .cam track 141V swings the mounting bar through -a substantial angle whereuponthe track 141 ter- Y minates and the. long.'roller enters the continuation of its cam track. The cam track ,142then has an angularly downwardly extendingportion V142e which extends -out-y side .of the line oftravel of the mounting bar Ypivots.:61 and continuesrtoY swing the mounting bar vas shown in VThis cam track has a short which retainsrthe clamping means .in vsubstantiallyfhorzontal position. for aportion of its travel. Thiscam track y Curves varoundzthe shaftg57 and inwardly'towardsthe shaftof the sprocketso that as the mounting bar 65 passes around the sprocket V5.4, 'the `clamping means is 'tilted angularly upwardlyfandathe .cam track, terminates. VJust before the -camtrack 143 terminates, :the long Vroller if has entered'themouthroffthelcam track.142,and-retains the mounting frame .in substantially. horizontalY position. This track Vcontinues-to thespnocket V55 Y(Fig. .4.) `where kthe cam track moves outwardly and then follows a-.curva- -ture vhaving the center. of thesprocket .shaftas a Vcenter `Y fory a .substantial distance .around the-sprocketshaftwhere it cont-inueslomas ythe cam track for the lower pass., "'Because ofthe Achange/of .direction oftheiendless chain, the clamping .means changes from. a forward. ldirection Vto a rearward direction land carries the sheet .carriedby theclamping meansadjacent :to a pile of sheets on la .depositing platform 146. where the sheetisreleased.. With the cam followers ofdilerent lengths and hencewith the edges of the .cam tracks in different vertical. planes,there will be. no interference .between the 'camY followers as .the respective cam tracks take over control of the pivotalV movement of .the clamping mechanism and hence the clamping means. The cam tracks lare suitablysecured to the main frame 26.

Selective opening rmenans In the construction illustratedherein, the clamping meansA is opened at oneof two positions `so that, :groups -of vsheets are piled on a` depositing platform in staggered Vor spacedrrelation lengthwisebut with the'edges in'alignmgmt- ;Each grouporsset of segregated or staggered .sheets can readily berseparated fromrthe othcrgronps. ,The change infthe'time. crposition 0f the'opeuingcfihe clamping means occursimthe lower lev'elorpasspf the 4.clamping means xafter' the latter has .passedaround the .sprketSS- Th@ Opening of the 1amping means .isaccomplished bryan Opening .plate 148 (Figs. 4, 5.) `pivctally meanted Q11 a Pivot `14.9., mounted on a part `ofthe main vframe 426 such as a crossbar or bars thereof. Thisopening plate Y has a -pair Yofgspaced opening planes or surfaces 1 5 0 a 'Fig 3 so that the Vclamping means now isY projected forwardly kin a substantially horizontal position or towards .the storage means ordrum. v

Asthemounting `batt-.65 and the clamping means pass around thesprocket 53, wardly-towards the sprocket shaft 56 so that the kclamping-meansretains. an approximately horizontal position as theends of the clamping arms; are projected over a .package of sheets S in its :pocket of the drum'. The curve .off the cam track Ialso turns-the mounting bar 65 and the cam track .142b curves in- Y .hence the clamping meansto bring the clamping padsV x75 on the ends -of the clamping arms 74 into lcontact .with the top sheet of the package of sheets S in itspocket.

Thismoves the clamping arms 4away from contact with the clampingmeans .frame or extensions, 66 so that the spring 76`presses therpads against the top sheet. As the pads and clamping means move away from theV pocket e bythe l'divergent paths of the clamping means and the pocket, the top'sheet isdrawn outwardly and the clamping -iinger locking `lever 94 is released whereupon the lingers .close and clamps the sheet between the armpads and the'ngers. The finger locking lever. is released Y -when'the trigger .98 passes .by andis engaged .by the op- Veratingpin99.`Y Y" The endless chain assumesa straightf or approximately a :straightpath :between the two sprockets 53,54, be`

tween which the cam track 142 .instportion'142c is straight and has but a'single Wall. The spring 76 restores the clampiljrlg means into contact with the clamping means frame.V The cam track Y14.2b ends between the sprockets Y 53 andv54 and at the'sarne momentorashortly therebefore Ythelsho'rt roller 139. enters .the arcuate cam ltrack Y:143

Y -1 55engages its-shoulder `1'58 and is pulled down. This and 1501 Witlv'fheY Opening plate inthe position shown in. Fist 4, thecpen'ng roller QLc-arriedby the clamping means .sleeverv engages the opening plane 1 50a as the clamping lmeans movesV forwardly with yresptfrct thereto landswings. thel roller and sleevenelatively to -theclamping arms which opens=the clamping tingers'as described.

' ,Pivoting of the opening plate tojthe positionrshown in Fig. 5 moves or lifts :the opening planey 150:1 Aayt/ aysfrorn engagement fby the openingroller v92 whereupon this rollerrengages the opening'plane l1`50b or ata later time lor position as lto openingrelatively toopening plane g.

`The opening plate is shifted Vfrompne position to the other by yshifting an operating plate 152,7Fig; '15. secured to ja pivot i151 mountedon Athe lmain frame. This operatingrpljatecarriesja stop 1,53 which engagesa pair of spaced stop abutments 154 carriedby the-main frame.

This Voperating .Plate carries a pair of spaced vpins v155V swings the operating plate 15 tothe positionsshown. ingthe figure which pivots the.operating plat-eV therewith.v vThe spring .160 snow pulls the. pull niembenupwardly and pulls the .other .edge of-:the pull :memberdnto contacbwith 9 the operating pin 156. The spring 160 performs a double function namely in pulling the pull member upwardly and pulling the latter to the proper side. A second operation of the solenoid again pulls the pull member downwardly so that the pin 1'56 engages its shoulder 159 and pulls the operating plate to its other or rst position.

A guide bracket 162 may be provided for the pull member or rod.

Means are provided to hold the operating plate 152 in either of its operated positions lwhich means includes a lever 166 which is pivotally mounted on the frame 26 by a pivot 167. A spring 168 ris connected between the end of the lever and another part which may be the guide bracket 162. This lever is connected with the operating plate through a pin 169 carried by the plate and engaging in a slot 170 in the adjacent or other end of the lever 166 so that the lever is pivoted with the plate but in opposite directions. When the operating plate is pivoted to its other position, the lever swings or pivots in an opposite direction or to the left of center line between pivots until the spring passes over the pivot center line whereupon the spring assists in propelling the operating plate to its other position and holds it and the vane in this position. A second operation of the solenoid reverses the operation and carries the lever and spring to the other side of dead 'center or the pivot center line as illustrated so that the spring both partly operates the plate and holds the plate in each of its two positions. 'Ihe pivoting of the lever 166 also controls the pull or position of spring 160 so that the pull member is shifted to the opposite side to engage the upper pin 155 or 156.

The operating plate 152 is connected with the opening plate 148 through links 171 and 172, and a lever 173. The lever 173 is fixed to a shaft 163, Fig. 5, which shaft carries a lever 164. A link 165 connects the lever 164 with the opening plate 148. Oscillation of the operating plate 152 to and from its two positions, oscillates the shaft 163 and lever 164 to move the opening plate to and from its two positions shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

Control means Control means are provided to operate the opening means whereby the clamping means is opened at a selected one of two positions. Control means are also provided to selectively close desired clamping means in the lower passage or level of the movement of the clamping means from or between depositing position to pick-up position. These control means are embodied in one unit which includes preferably a disk 174 (Fig. 2) driven by the mal chine such as a chain 175, a sprocket 176 on the drum shaft 28 and a sprocket 178 secured to a shaft 179 mounted on the main frame so that the disk rotates at the same speed as the drum, that is each makes one revolution in the same time. The disk has three circular rows of holes 180, 181, 182 concentric with the center of the disk. There is one such hole in each circle of holes for each pocket of the storage drum and hence for each clamping means of the machine. This control means may be connected with any driven part of the collating machine such as the drive connection or the sprockets for the endless chains for the clamping means. Since, however, it is more convenient to relate it with the pockets of the drum, it is adjacent to the drum and mounted on the main frame at the operating side of the drum.

An operating or Contact screw or pin is inserted in a hele corresponding with a pocket in the drum and hence with the clamping means for that pocket Whichis to be controlled. Any series of holes may control the desired part of the collating machine. The outer circle of holes has been selected for controllingjthe number of pages in each book or booklet. 'I'hat is a control pin or screw 185 (Figs. 2, l5) in a hole or pressed inwardly shifts the opening plate 148 for the clamping means to one of its positions to open one or more of the clamping means at one position as each passes the opening plate. The control pin or screw is inserted or advanced in the hole at the position in which the opening plate is to be shifted. In other words, if there are `two empty holes between succeeding operating pins or screws, or unpressed pins, then the opening plate is shifted for every third clamping means. Hence three successive clamping means are opened at the same position as they pass the opening plate. Three pages are therefore off-set at one position upon the depositing platform. The screws in thisl circle close a switch 186 which energizes the solenoid 161 for changingthe position of the opening plate for the clamping means. The next screw orV depressed screw again closes the switch which again energizes the solenoid and operation of the solenoid restores the opening plate to its first position and-the clamping means are then opened at the other position. Each succeeding control pin or succeeding depressed pin therefore changes the position of the opening plate.

The position of the opening plate for the clamping means may be shifted once for each revolution in which event the sheets picked from all ofthe pocketsare positicned in one position and the sheets in all of the pockets in the next revolution of the drum are postioned in the other position. A control pin or screw in each hole or depressed in each hole shifts the opening plate for each clamping means passing the plate so that each page is alternately positioned. Any other arrangement may be made such as for a fty pocket drum, there may be ve changes of ten sheets each. Likewise the control means may be set forl different numbers such as 6, 8, l0, l5 and 2l or any other arrangement.

Selecting means The inner circle of holes 182 receives one or more control pins or screws 189 (Fig. 2) to operate a switch 190 (Fig. 16) when it passes the same in the rotation of the control disk 174. It will be recalled that the clamping means is opened to deposit its sheet in depositing position and it is locked in open position. This switch 190 is connected with afsolenoid 191 which moves a tripper 192 to its dot-dash position in Fig. 3 for engaging the lock release lever or trigger 98 'for the clamping lingers 'at the lower level or pass of` the clamping means. Operation of the lock release lever closes the clamping lingers so that when the clamping means pass into ythe drum pocket they do-not pick up or Aclamp a sheet in the pocket.

The tripper operating means includes a tripper plate 196 secured to the shaft 193 and connected with the solenoid 191 by a suitable pin connection 197 carried by the plate. Energization of the solenoid 191 pulls the tripper to the left from the solid line position shown in Figs. 3, 16. The tripper plate has a notch 198 and a stop 199 so that when the tripper plate is pulled to the left, a roller 200 rides over a surface 201 and is pulled into the notch by a spring 202 to releasably or resiliently retain the roller in the notch. The stop 199 is engaged by the roller so that it does not override the notch. A second solenoid 203 is also Vconnected to the tripper plate by a pin 204 carried by the plate so that lwhen energized it pulls the tripper plate and the tripper 192 to the right or to the solid Vline position of Fig. 3. In this position the clamping means remain open. to grip a sheet in its pocket of the storage drum.

The middle circle of holes181 receives one or more control screws Vor pins 207 which when each passes a switch 208 it closes its `contacts and this energizes the solenoid 203 to swing the tripper away from the path of travel of the release lever for Ithe locking means for the clampingnger as shown in solid lines in Fig. 3. In this position of the tripper the locking lever for each clamping means or clamping fingers is not engaged as it passes so that the clamping fingers or clamping means remains into VVVabutting position.

Y. open. YWhen the clamping means enters1a-pocket'of the Y fdrum at the pick-up position, a sheet is picked up.V

. Withthis control means and tripper, the sheet in any -pocketor, pockets may be selectively picked Yupor passed bythe clamping means asdesired. One purpose of this aecomo control orrejection `ofy sheets may Ybe desirable for ,exf ample if one bookor group of sheets includes pages 1 1 to.l5, excludingpages 16 to 20. Obviously any desired selection orrejection `of sheets from any-particular pocket or pockets may be-made. Y Y Y Ithaslbeen statedthata controlrscrefw'or pin Vmay be insertedin any desired hole of the control disk. It is Yclear,;that Yeachhole may haveY a 'screw (as shown) or pininserted oriscrewed farther'into the'hole vlto bring it .into contact :with its respective switch onwithdrawn -outwardlyso that it Adoes not Vcontact itsfswitch. Like-V f .10.720 and thenext booklet may have the same pages from Vwise eithenthe control disk may 4rotate vand theswitches Y Ybe fixed, as particularly lllustrated, ork thedisk may be fixed andithe switches or switch means rotate. It is necessary only that the disk 'orthe'switches rotate with respeetrto the other.

Sheet abutment Vmeans I n vconjunction with-the clampopening means there isV provided Asheet abutment means 'for each of the two or stagger positions of the sheets on -the depositing table or platform. The abutment means for the forward positionuincludes a fixed sheet abutment 211 against which the forward edge of each sheet is positioned when/the clamping means is opened by the second opening surface 150b. In conjunction with thisrxed abutment Vthere is provided a movable sheet abutment 212 for engaging the kother or rear edge of eachsheet so that the sheet is positively positioned.n Thismovable abutment is -pivoted on thegfrarne (Fig. l1) on a pivot-.213 and the abutmentdsrnjloved or ralsedfrom abutting position, shown in' dot-dash lines, to remote or Vclear position, shownV in connected byza link ,229,10 ,a lever '230 which, ilever `is lpiv'otally mounted-on the frame on: aY shaft orpivot 231.

The shaft 231 carries `a lever, 232, and the endof this lever is connected awith the clamp; opening means at the .Junction of the 'two links.171,j17.f2;so 'that vitis connected with Vboth the openingplates148 and .the operating plate 152. A fixed -sheet v abutment 233.1coope'rates with the movable abutment 226 and Vis spaced approximately the Vlength lof aV sheetffrom :thegmovablelsheet abutment.V

The collating machineis provided with means which gages the number of' sheets or thickness of a sheet being transported byeac h clamping means Aso thatrif.V two `,or vmore sheets are or a thicker sheetjs being transported, the machine-is automatically'stopped so thatthe extra or thick sheet maynberemoved. lThis gaging'rfrneans; is, therefore, locatedin a position `where the clamping means Acarries or is transportinga sheet'fto becollated.- It also gages on the y .or while the sheets Aare inmotion or being transported without stopping .thesheetmovemenL YIn fthe machine illustrated,the gaging `takesplace. in the upperi pass of theclamping means and, for reasons which Y will appear, is ,located adjacent the sprocket wheel 55.

solidlines,V by a solenoid :214, the armature of which` Y spontanea by aunk y21510 lpin @1.6m the abutmenteV VWhen'the solenoid is deenergizeifthe,abutment returns by' gravity to abutting position. Y When the clamping meansis opened.' in forward or later position Y togrelease asheet, thepositionof the sheet isdetermined bythe ixedY forward .abutment Y.211;andmthe Ymovable rear-abutment The niovablepabutmentisimoved alternately fromv abutt1ng position toa remoteV position or a Vposition away from abutting positionrin timed sequence 'Ifhe-solenoidu214lis fenergzedor under the-control of aswitchV 218, Fig. 1,5,V having ya contactorV Y219ywhich is shifted-to close the switch vby VVa kdepression l220--in the f peripheryof the operating plate152 which formsfa cam.

When the/.openmg plate is in the position of Fig. 5V to open V'the ,clamping means in forward position, the-switch contacter `is o ut of the depression Nand riding on the periphery ,of the operating plate which opens .switch contacts V221, 222 to deenergize the solenoid and the movable -abutment 212 moves downwardly Yby gravity When the Vcontactor is in the depression .and the opening plate 148 is in Vdown posi- Y tion of VYFig.V V4 the contracts 2271, 222 are closed which Yenergizes'the solenoid upwardlyto fpull the abutment upwardly to remote position.` This' abutment therefore and may be operated therefrom by any suitable means,

:ment-212.may `have a .recess 22410 passa xed frame .225.forftheside of the'sheets.

in-rear o r early position, a pair of abutments are also used. v

of the `sh,eets',.fis Vmovably andA pivotally Ymounted on a pivot Y,227 carried by a bracket 22Ssecurled to the mam franienor forming a part of the abutment 211. It is mounted in the VVmain frame. secured to jthisrshaftywhich bevel gearmeshes with aV In lorder Vto assure that the sheet or sheetsgaged by ithe gaging Ameans .is that being :transported ,by a single clamping means, means 'are provided Vto separate the `sheet or sheets .carried bygone clamping means, as it passes-thegaging means from a :sheet or sheets carried by the main frame 26. AnyY suitable drive connection may be used to rotate the housing that is shown including apinion 241-secured to the lowerstub shaft whichpin- .ion meshes Vwith `a gear 242secured on a shaft V2743 A bevel `zg'ear 244 is also bevelV gear ,245V securedon the sprocket shaft 58. The

gearratio isV such that the rotary housing rotates oncel Y in the time thatY it takes one clampingmeans to pass thereby. 'Y Y VAs a clampingfmeanspasses the scroll, the edge of the sheet carried Kthereby enters the space between lspaced Vscroll portions and as the scrollrotatesrit separates or raises this sheet ,from therunderlying-sheet'carried by the next following vclamping means.,V .lVhenV the scroll rotates a full revolution, ythe lower level or the lower portion of thescroll turns beneath the edgeof the Vnext sheet or in aposition to receive the next sheet and raise it above the next followingr sheet. The scroll portion 238i: forms a vthroat which alsodirects the edge of the Y sheet Vor sheets betweencontacts'of a gaging Vmeans which irs-*operated from Vthe vmeans for shifting .the opening plate theelectrical form`illustrated being preferred.V The abut- Y -sarEaee-,1i0g-s0ntr01s the Opening-,0fthe'clamping means V70 The vforward abutment in stagger'V position Agages the sheet orsheets earnedy by one clamping means.

.The gaging Jmeans includesa movable contacti248 and a second movable contact ,249 spaced from the, `first contact by theV thickness .off one sheet. Therstmovable contact is carried on an'arm 250 mounted on a pivot 251 carried .by .the rotaryrhousing.V Thisarm also carries a cam follower252, iFig'. 712, which is in contact with a' staftionary cam Y253.y A sthe lrotary hc'iu'singv turns, the'cam .follower rides off ofthe high pointroflthe cam which separates the. two cont cts'so that a sheetA may be inserted easily therebetweenV When theY contacts make about a complete rotation `and 'has the edge of YaV sheet projected therebetween, the Acarri follower rides up on the high point of the'ampagainst the tension yof a spring V221,7.and pivots .the iirst fmovable contact towards the second movable contact. If there are "two sheets'between the contacts,

the second contact is raised su'iciently to close a microswitch 254 completing a circuit to a slip ring 255 and its brush 256. Closing of this switch and its electrical circuit operates a solenoid 257, Fig. 24, which opens a throwout switch 258 in series with the machine motor and stops the machine. The inertia of the machine carries the clamping means with its two or more sheets to the` depositing position or platform and deposited the two sheets so that the extra sheet need merely be removed from the pile. This gaging means of course will function to stop the machine if a sheet of greater thickness than the usual sheet has been picked up by the clamping means.

A somewhat similar scroll 260 is provided on the opposite side of the sheet. This scroll is secured to the periphery of a rotary cylinder 261 carried by a shaft 262 rotatably mounted in the auxiliary frame 26a. The scroll extends around aboutll/a of the periphery of the cylinder so that it has overlapping spaced ends. This scroll rotates in a counter clockwise direction or at the sheet edge in the direction 'of the travel of the sheet. As a clamping means carries a sheet past this scroll the edge of the sheet enters between the spaced overlapping portions of the scroll and as the scroll rotates the sheet edge rides on the scroll and is raised therewith and above the sheet carried by the following clamping means. Thisy scroll is also rotated at a speed the same as the scroll 238 through a suitable connection. The connection shown includes a bevel gear 263 secured to the shaft 262. This gear meshes with a bevel gear 264 which is keyed to a shaft 265. This shaft carries a sprocket 266 on which is carried a chain 267, and the chain is driven by a sprocket 268 secured to the sprocket shaft 58.

This sheet separating means preferably is adjustably mounted on the frame to accommodate for diiferent widths of sheets. To this end the scroll frame 26a is mounted on ways 271 carried by the main frame so that the separating means may be shifted left and right on the ways. A clamp plate 272 engages the ways and locks the sliding scroll frame 26a to the ways .by means of a screw 273. The bevel gear 264 is keyed to the Ashaft in known manner so that it may slide along the length of the shaft and still be driven by the shaft.

Detector means Means Vare provided also to stop the machine in the event a clamping means should fail to pick-up a sheet from its pocket. This detector means is conveniently associated with the gaging means (Figs. l1, l2, 13, 24) and includes a detector switch comprising a fixed contact 276 but preferably exibly mounted on a spring support 277 carried by the rotatable housing 239. A movable contact 278 .is conveniently carried by the pivotal arm 250 so that the movable contact also is moved into contact with the Xed or flexible contact by the cam 253. When the cam follower reaches the high point of the cam and the edge of a sheet has been projected between the two.

contacts 278, 276, the sheet prevents engagement and closing of the switch formed by the two contacts and nothing happens. lf, however, a sheet is missing, the movable contact engages the fixed contact and a circuit is established through a vring 279 and its brush 280 to operate a solenoid 281 at a throwout switch 282 which opens the switch and stops the machine. The inertia of the-machine carries the clamping means to or beyond the depositing point so that the missing sheet can be inserted in proper position in the pile. The gaging switch and the detector switch may have a joint, ground or negative connection through a slip ring 284i and its brush 285.

Itis not necessary to provide two throwoutswitches 258 and 282 since a single switch will accomplish the stopping of the machine; however, two are disclosed since this reveals in' one way/whether a missing sheet or two sheets is Vthe cause of the stopping of the machine; Such switches customarily have a light as a part of the switch which lights when the switch is opened. This tells which switch has opened and tells the operator to insert a miss- 14 ing sheet or remove` one `of two sheets. The throwout switches may take several forms. In the switches illustrated the solenoid releases a catch 283 which holds the switch contacts closed so that release of the catch opens the switch. A manual button is pressed to close the switch whencorrection has been made in the sheet pile.

It has been described that thef clamping means may be controlled through the selecting means in which the tripper 192 releases the locking means. for the clamping lingers which closes the clamping means so that a sheet is not picked up from its pocket in the, storage drum. This is an intentionalv omission of Va sheet in the clamping means and hence when this occurs, vthe detectorl means should become inoperative. This is accomplished by including a normally closed'nullifying switch 287 in series with the detector switch 276, 278. This nullifying switch is conveniently operated from the control disk 174. When a control pin 189`operates the solenoid 191 to close a clamping means so that it will not pick-up a sheet, this control pin remains depressed and will also open the nullifying switch 287. This latter switch is located with respect to the positions of the control disk so that when the closed clamping means reaches the detector position the nullifying switch Vis opened. As a consequence the fact that there isa missing sheet does not operate the throwout switch and does not stop the machine. It will be noted therefore that depression of a pin 189 to close a clamping means functions without more or any additional operation to open the nullifying switch.

Any vforrn of depositing device may be used upon which the sheets are deposited. The depositing device particularly shown is a platform 146 having feed means to move the platform downwardly. The downward movement is .under the control of a feeder finger which is periodically brought into contact with the top sheet of the pile on the platform through mechanism driven from a link 223 connected olf center to a collar carried by the sprocketrshaft 58. AIf the pile is too high, the linger does not descendA as far which trips a feed mechanism and the table is lowereduntil the greater descent ofthe trigger iing'er disconnects Vthe feed mechanism.

The endless'means orvc'hains ,52. have a driving connection with the motor 29 or with the storage means' or drum or particularly the gear, reduction unit .''such as a chain 297 :with suitable sprockets.v ,'I'he' sharper curve in Vthe cam track 142 atthe rear`sprocket ips the sheet rearwardly as the clamping means' pass around the sprocket so that the sheet is laid flat on the depositing platformQ i I l Preferably the position (Fig.'l2) of 'the cam'253 `is adjustable s o that the spacing between the ,gaging contacts 249 Vand v250 may be conveniently adjusted. This adjusting means includes a cam' slide 290 slidablev in ways 291, the slide having an enlarged opening 292 for the shaft 240. An adjusting screw 293 turnably carried by the frame 26 is used to adjust the position of the cam. Y

This invention is presented to ll a need for improvements in a collating machine. It is understood that various modifications in structure, as well as changes in mode of operation, assembly, and manner of use, may and often do occur to those skilled 'injthe art, especially after benefiting from' the teachings of aninvention. This disclosure illustrates the preferredmeans lof embodying the inventioninuseful form.

WhatisclaimedisY..V '1 Y v y 1. A collating machine comprising ,a main frame, storage means carried bythe mainframe having -a plurality of pockets and movable/to bringr the PQfkets successively to pick-up position "where sheets are :removedfrom thepockets, a depositing platform', a plurality of clamping mechanisms each including sheet clamping means, endless means mounting the .clamping mechanisms in spaced Vrelation and for movementV from adjacent the depositing platform to pick-up position and return, means v2. A collating'r machine as 1n' Y 15 Y to" closeY the iclarnpingz meanscat tra; pocketat, piek-up po'- sition, openingfmeans to'openrtheffclamping means' -at the depositing 'platform at oneof twofspaced-vpositions, Y control ymeans selectively:l controllingut-hempening means e fortthe clamping means toopen the'same'alternatelyfat the two positions :to Vstagger sets-ofsheets lvof one :or

,moresheets and `driving-mechanisntzconnecting the storagejneans and the! endlessmeans.;Y 1

Y, nim? .i-'including forward abutment" means Vat v"the Vfdepositing platform hav- Y, ing A`a stationary forward 'abutment land movable rear abutmentfrrear 'abutment -m'eaus-jatfthe depositing plat- 'foi-mhaving a movable "forward Vabutmentfand afsta- Vtionar'y yrear abutment, the Vrenovable'zabutrn'eirts moving tiand away from YKabutting position,v and fmeans-conne'ctf irg the1movable abutments with the opening means v'for t t operation thereby into -abuttingf'p/osition alternately-twithV Vthe `movablejrear 'abutment-moving into Vabuttinglp'osi-V tion Sfor Vopening'of `the-clampingmeans in forward po'- sition.

3. VA collating machinev as in Vclaim l ri'n'" which Y opening meansrincludes aV cam' followerl carrid'by'the 16 clamping means from the depositing.platformV to the pick-up"position and operatingfthe clamping'm'eans vfraune -togpivotthe clamping means froma position rearwardly VVto a'positionfforwardly. t i

v l1,0. A collating machine as in; claim 9 "in which the swingfmeans jincludescam follower ymeans'f'carriedby Y' tl'ieY 4clamping .means frame and cam traclcfmeansgcar- V-ried by the Jmainframe'iand receiving :the camfollow'- t track fmeans adjacent 'the pick-up Emeans toir'ec'zeive jthe t Vin a'rpocket.

cam follower means and swing the clamping means frame -to bringtheffclampin'g means-into contacta'with-` 'ai sheet Yl2,V Acollating'ma'chine asinclaim9ircldirgacam follower carried l'by the clamping V@means a'n'd a til in thepath 'of the .cam f'ciguowerand@engaged by the `camifollowerto -tilt yand-hold'f the clamping fmeaijsi lrl3,-IA` collatingrnachine comprising-fa main franie, storage Vmeans Vcarried by the `=main frame' "-havingfa Aplu- -ralitry of pockets and' movabletoY bring the -Ipeketssuc- 4cessively to pick-up positionwlierel sheetsfarefremoved 'from-*the pockets, a depositingplatform, 1a `plurality of clamping mechanisms 4each in'clutling'fsheet clamping 'means'having 'open and closed positi-onsfendless 'means v'mounting the' clamping-mechanisms -in'vspaced relation andY for movement- *from adjacent the depositing lpla'tforin tol pick-up position and return, means'toclosefthe clamp- `ing 'means `at'apocket at pick=up"position,*means to l'open "the clamping means 'at 4the depositingjplatt'orin,

' driving mechanism connecting vthe"storagerneansaini an operatingplate mounted on a pivot jon the mainframe sides of the pivot, a pivoted pull rod 'having a"s'h`oulder forY-eachrpin spaced from each otherV a vdi'stancej'less than Vthe spacing of the pins', Vr'mearis to shift lthe pull L rod for alternate engagement of each,.shoulderfwithitsV fpin, meansY connected with the pull "rodfto pull the'sa'me Y andY the control means controlling Vits.I'operation. f.-'`

A enlisting 'machine-asin, daim 4 mi which #the `means topull the ypullgrod'is 'a solenoid, the control Y means is a'V switchmeans connected with'thefsol'enoid 'and i pbeing; mounted 'fior' movement T relatively `to"th`eotheiV means,tand means connecting the movable means ,the drivingmechanisml '6, YVAk collatingV machine as Y in .claim 1,'4 jin Y which,

fmeansffor shifting the pun ma` in'c1udsanjbsemng lever. pivotally-mountedron the frame between Vitsfen'ds adjacent tothe operating plate and connected therewith at one end -to'oscillate as 'the operatinglplateoscillates, a spring connected vbetweentl'le Yother Vend of the lever and the pull rod.

7. A collating machine as in Aclaim'3'inc`:luding}:1l forward abutment means at the Adepositing Y'platform having a stationary forward abutment and a movable rear abutment movable .to vand from labut-ting positionrear abutment means at`the depositing platform spaced trom the forward abutment means having aV movable forward abutment movable to-and from abutting position, anda stationary rear abutment, and.L means'` connecting V:the movable abutments A,witlftthe operating Vmeans `for the natelyvin'to abutting position.4 t t Y 8. A collating machine'as in claim'f7 in which the the @Ferreries Plats VVfonoscillaticgn and'having a pair of rpins on opposite. v

the endless means, gagingtmeanszlocateddjacentthejpath of movementof the clamping means-in a position to t engage'the faces of a sheet or "sheets 'carried byeach -claniping'rneans adjacent an edge fthe'sleet, and ineis VYoperated bythe gaging means 'when 'more'than one' sheet is carried by a clamping meansto'istop 'the fclr'vinglmechanis'r'n. ,Y v t Y 1'4; A cllating machine as Ain. claim 13 'includingmen's adjacent lthefgaging .m'ean's to separate `theA slieetcied by each clamping means from an adjacems'hee.

15. A collating machine as Yin claim 13 viiivvliiicl"the t gaging means includes iirst movable Contact, a second movable contact movable` to `afposition spaced vfrom the l'lirsft contactadistance :the sameras thethicknessof` a sheet, means rotating the contacts towar'dsand away .from Vthe Ypath of the edge of/thee-sheet'and 'rotatingk once for leach clamping l means, means connected -with thesecond t contact to move the'ssamel towards'and'- away -from the first contact ',once for each revolutionfand -rneans1r-re t 's'ponsive Vto .the movement/of the rst -conta'ct'to stop themachine. t .j

16. A collating machine :as 1in claim l5 in whichV the -mearis'responsive to the movement of'ithe-.rstcontact in- Y m'fmeansfliaving open` Vand/closed positio :cludes -.a -gagng means switch which isfclosed by movement of -the tirst contact, throwout s'witchmeans controlling the-driving mechanismiandthe .-gagingz'irneans switch being sconnected with Vthe throwout 'switch Emeans to open the" same.

17. A 'collating'machne asinclaim'14f-includi1rgscroll fmeansmounted vwith the gagi'ngcontacts-'and 'rotatable 4therewith to direct the edge of the'sheet betweenithe'contac'ts vand lto separate theV sheet ffrom the`followin`g'-sheet. Y 18? AY collatingma'chine comprising' al main vra'r'ne, lstorafg'elmeans carried by-"th'e mainef'fram'ehv la'fplu'- rality of pockets and nil'ovable` tol, bring theA pockets: su'c'- cessively 'to pick-up positionfwhere sheets fromfthe pockets, adepositin platter theL clamping niea'nsat thenepostingplaffdrm driving track ved. f

mechanism connecting the storage means and the endless means, sheet detector means adjacent the path of movement of the clamping means in a position to engage .the edge of a sheet or sheets carried by each clamping means, and means operated by the sheet detector means to stop the driving mechanism when a sheet is missing in a clamping means.

19. A collating machine as in claim 18 including means adjacent the detector means to direct the edge of each sheet into operative relation with the detector means and to separate Ithe edge of a sheet carried by each clamping means from the preceding sheet. y

20. A collating machine as in claim 18 including means to selectively close one or more clamping means after opening the same at deposit position and prior to arriving at pick-up position adjacent the storage means, and means rendering the sheet detector means inoperative at the time that said prior closed clamping means reaches the detector means.

21. A collating machine as in claim 18 in which the sheet detector means includes a pair of detector switch contacts, means rotating the detector switch contacts towards and away from a position adjacent the clamping means into the path of the edge portion of a sheet carried by each clamping means, means mounting one detcctor switch contact for movement into contact with and away from the other detector contact, means moving the movable contact into contact with and away from the other contact once for each revolution thereof, and throwout switch means controlling the driving mechanism and connected with a detector switch contact to open the throwont switch means and stop the machine when the contacts engage.

22. A collating machine as in claim 21 in which the clamping means includes at least one pivoted clamping linger, spring means propelling `the clamping linger to closed position, locking means to hold the clamping nger in open position, release means located adjacent the path of movement of the clamping means between depositing position and pick-up position and movable to and away from a position to release the locking means andV close the clamping means, operating means connected With the release means to move the same to releasing position, operating means connected with the release means to move the same away from releasing position, and control means selectively controlling the operation of the operating means and rendering the detector means inoperable. Y

23. A collating machine as in claim 22 in which each operating means for the release means includes a solenoid; the control means includes a switch for each solenoid, a set of switch operators for each solenoid, and each set including an operating pin for each pocket of the storage means, control drive means connected with one of the parts including the switches and switch operators to drive one part relatively to the othernand at the speed'of the storage means, and a switch in series with the detector switch and located to be operated by the switch operator for the switch which controls the movement of the release means to release position.

24. A collating machine comprising a main frame, storage means carried by the main frame having a plurality of pockets and movable to bring the pockets successively to pick-up position where sheets are removed from the pockets, a depositing platform, a plura11ty of clamping mechanisms each including sheet clamping means, endless means mounting the clamping mechanisms in spaced relation and for movement from adjacent the depositing platform to pick-up position and return, means to close the clamping means at a pocket at pick-up position, means to open the clamping means at the depositing platform, driving mechanism connecting the storage means and the endless means, gaging means 1ocated adjacent the path of movement of the clamping means in a position to engage the faces of a sheet or sheets carried by each clamping means adjacent an edge of the sheet, and means operated by the gaging means when more than one sheet is carried by a clamping means to stop the driving mechanism, sheet detector means adjacent the path of movement of the clamping means in a position to engage the edge of a sheet or sheets carried by each clamping means,rand means operated by the sheet detector means to stop the driving mechanism when a sheet is missing in a clamping means.

25. A collating machine as in claim 24 including a housing mounted for rotation adjacent the path of movement of the clamping means, means connected with the housing to rotate the same one revolution for each clamping means passing the housing, the gaging means and detector means being carried by the housing and rotating therewith, scroll means carried by the housing to separate the sheet carried by a clamping means and to direct the edge of the sheet into position for engagement by the gaging means and the detector means.

26. A collating machine as in claim 25 in which the gaging means includes a rst movable gaging contact and a second movable gaging contact movable to a position spaced from the iirst contact a distance the same as the thickness of a sheet, means mounting the first gaging contact for movement towards and away from the other, a switch carried by the housing and operable by movement of the first contact, means connected with the switch to stop the driving mechanism, the detector means including a first switch contact and a second switch contact forming a detector switch, means connected with a switch contact to stop the driving mechanism when the detector switch is closed, and means connected with the two second contacts to move the same towards and from the rst contacts once for each revolution of the housing.

27. A collating machine as in claim 26 in which the means for moving the second contacts is a stationary cam and a cam follower connected with the second contacts and engaging the cam.

28. A collating machine as in claim 27 including means to move the cam to adjust the movement of the second contacts.

29. A collating machine as in claim 25 including a second scroll means in alignment with the housing and located to separate the other edge of each sheet and means connecting the second scroll with the endless means to rotate the scroll.

' 30. A collating machine comprising a main frame,

storage means carried by the main frame having a plurality of pockets and movable to bring the pockets successively to pick-up position where sheets are removed from the pockets, a depositing platform, a plurality of clamping mechanisms each including a clamping means frame and a sheet clamping means pivotally mounted on the clamping means frame, endless means mounting the clamping mechanisms in spaced relation and for movement from adjacent the depositing platform to pick-up position and return, means to close the clamping means at a pocket at pick-up position, means to open the clamping means at the depositing platform, means to selectively close the clamping means during its movement between the` depositing platform and pick-up position, a lifting cam adjacent pick-up position, a cam follower carried by the clamping means movable to and from a position for engagement with the lifting cam, means operated by the clamping means in closed position to move the cam follower to a position to engage the lifting cam, and driving mechanism connecting the storage and the endless means.

31. A collating machine as in claim 30 in which the cam follower is mounted on the clamping means for axial movement to and froma position in the path of the lifting cam, means carried by the clamping means to close the same including a pivoted lever and a cam carried by the pivoted lever and engaging the cam followerto Y leveling means n the clamping -means, having a plurality of notches, a l pawl pivotally mounted on'the clamping means vframe move'the latter axially away 'from engagementr withrthe lifting cam when Athe Yclamping meansris Vope y 32A collating machine'comprising a mainV frame,

'storage meansV carried by the main frame having "aplu` rality of pockets and movable to bring the pockets successively to pick-up position where sheets are removed from'the pocltets,` a Vdepositing platform, a plurality 'of clamping mechanisms each including a clamping means Vframeand sheet clamping means pivotally mounted on the V`clamping means frame, endless means mounting the clamping mechanisms in spaced relation and .forV movement from adjacent the depositing'platform to pick-up position and return, means to close the clamping .means carried by the clamping means to Vhold the ylatterat the level; ofthe pile of Vsheets in a 'pockethwhen theclampingr means engages the top sheet in a pocket, and driving mechanism connecting thev storage means and the endless means.V Y

33. A collating machine asinclaim V32 in which Vthe leveling means includes'a ratchet carried by theclamping ,means and' having a plurality of notches, a pawl Vcarried Y by theY clamping means frame and normally spaced from the ratchet and movable into contact with the ratchet,

and'meansy carried by the main frame tormove the paWl Y f into contact withV the ratchet when the clampingmcans engages a'sheet inV its pocket. .Y Y y 34. A collating'machine` asin claim 32 in whichthe includes an arcuate ratchet carried by and normally yspaced from the ratchet and movable 'into contact therewith, a'cam carried by the main frame ada jacent the pathof movement of the pawl when the clamp- Y ving means engages Ythe top sheet in a pocket and pivoting the'pawl into engagement withY a notch onthe ratchet.

Y A35. YA collating machine 'comprisingA va marinVVV frame, storage means carriedV by the main frame having a plural-V ity V*of pockets and movable to Vbring the pockets ,succes-V sively to pick-up position where sheets are removedV from tovclose the clamping means at a pocket at piclt-upposition, opening means toopenthe clampingmeans-at theV depositing platform at one of two spaced positins,control means selectively controlling the opening Vmeans -forthe clamping means to open the same alternately at thetwo positions to 'stagger sets of sheets ofone or more sheets, driving mechanism connec endless means, sheet detectorV means adjacent the path of movement of the clampingr means in a position to engage the edge ofa'sheet or-sheetscarried by each clamping means, and means operated bythe sheet detector means to stop the drivingrmechanism when a Vsheet is Vata' pocketat pick-up position, means tok open the clamp- Y Ying means at the depositing platform, leveling means Y detector includes a throwout switch means connected Vwith- Y missing yin a clamping means; Y y Y 39. A collating machine as in claim 38 in'which'the detector means includes a pair of switch contactsV forming a detector switch, and the means operatd'by the sheet the driving mechanism,'and vthe detectorswitch being connected with the throwout switch meansto open the latter.

40. A collatng machine as in claim'39 including scroll means to direct the edge ofa sheet carried by arclamping means between the detector switch contacts.

41. A collating machine as in claim 39 including locking means to hold the clamping means openfrrelease means movable to and fromV a position to engage andV release the locking means and loca-ted between the opening means and pickup position, control means selective ly controlling the movement Yof lthe release means, a second switch in series with the detector switch and'normally closed, Vand the controljmeans opening the secondrswitch when a clamping meansy closed by the releaseV means passes the detector switch.

thepockets, a depositingv platform, a plurality ofcl'ampy' ing.V mechanisms each including 'sheet clamping 'rn'eans,` endless means mounting the clamping mechanisms.inv

Y spaced relation'A andfor movement iromV vadjacent, the

depositing platformto pick-up position andiretnrn, means to close the clampingmeans at'farpocket'pick-up position,V

Vopeningv meansto Yopen'theA clamping"meansgat theV depositing'platformat one of two spaced'po's'itions, control.V

meansY selectively Ycontrolling the opening means for the clamping meansrto open the same alternately atthe two positions to stagger'setsof sheets of one'orimore sheets',V

Y drivin'gmechan'ism connecting therstorag'e means andthe endless means, gagingrr'neans located adjacent fthe Vpath of movement of'the'clamping meansin a position to engage Y theV faces of a sheet or .sheets carriedA by leach clamping means adjacent an edge of the sheet, and means operated by the gaging means when more Ythan one sheet is carried by a clampingl means to stop the drivin'grmechanism.

Y 36.4 A collating machine asin claim 3,5 in which theY me'ansfoperated by the `g'ag'ing means includes a gaging means switch,jand a throwout switch means'controlling the driving mechanismjconnected with the gaging means switchrto' open the throwout .switch means..r

37. A collating machine as in claim 36 including'scroll means to direct'the edge of a sheet carriedrby a clampingV means linto the. gaging means. I

V38. A 'collati'n'gw machine comprising a mainfirame, Vstorage means'carried by the main frameehavinga pluraln y ity Vofpock'e'ts and movable-to bring the pockets vsuccesl isively to vpick-up position,l a Vdepositing platform, a plural? Vity 'of `clamping mechanismsYeachincluding sheet'clanipin'g j means, endless means mounting the clamping mechanisms in spaced relation and for movement Vfrom 'adjacentV the depositing platform to pick-up position and return, means Y 42. VA collating machine comprisinga main frame, a storage means carried by the main frame hav-ing a plural- 'ity of pockets and-movable to bring the'pockets successively to pick-up position kwhere sheets are removed from the pockets, a depositingY platform, Va plurality of clamp` ing mechanisms each including sheet clamping means, endless means mountingthe clamping mechanisms in spaced relation and for movement from adjacentthe depositing platform to pick-up 'position and return, means tov 'closethe clamping means at a pocketgatpickfup position, opening means to open the clamping means at the depositing platform at'one of two spaced positions, control means selectively controlling the opening'r'neans for the .Y clamping means Vto open the same alternately at the Ytwo positions to fstagger sets of sheets of one-or more-sheets, driving mechanism connecting thelstorage means'and the endless means, gaging means Ylocated adjacent? the,V path of movement of `theY clamping means infra position to vengage the faces lof a sheet or sheets carried byV each clamping means yadjacent an edge-of thefsheet, means` operated bythe gaging means Ywhen-mc'ir'efthan Vonersheet Vis carried by a clamping means 'tovstofp'the' driving mechanism, sheet'detector means adjacent'the path of move 44. A'co'llating machine as inclaimA'Z including scroll` meansfto -direct the edge of a sheet-carried by'a clamping means into the gaging means. f 45. A collating machine as in claim V42 lin which the Vdetector means includes afpair of 4switch v':cmtaets form-A ing a detector switch, Vand Vthe means operated by the sheet detectorV inclpdes a throwout switch`mean s.con ne'cted with the driving mechanism, andrthefde'tjcctor switch being Vcoiiiieetei with the fthrowout' switch means to openthe latter.' Y l Y' ting thepstorage means and the Y 

